Foote Hospital and Local Oncologists to Affiliate with One of Nation's Top Cancer Centers

JACKSON, Mich. - Foote Hospital
and Hematology & Oncology Associates, P.C., of Jackson
have finalized a formal affiliation agreement with the University
of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. Hematology and Oncology
Associates, a five-physician group including Ray H. Clark,
M.D., John A. Axelson, M.D., Malcolm S. Trimble, M.D., Grace
J. Boxer, M.D., and JoAnn S. Hirth, M.D., were selected to
participate in the University of Michigan Cancer Center Network
due to their established excellence in providing cancer care
and in managing clinical trial participation for their patients.

"This affiliation further promotes our
provision of quality cancer care here in Jackson," explained
Dr. Ray H. Clark, Medical Director of Cancer Care Services
at Foote Hospital. "We anticipate that this agreement
will help us continue to provide the most advanced treatment
available in Jackson while working closely with the University
to provide additional services not currently available here.
In addition, we will have a close working relationship between
the physicians at the two institutions helping to assure our
patients of the newest findings in diagnosis and treatment."

Dr. Clark founded the Jackson-based physician
group Hematology and Oncology Associates in 1970 as one of
the earliest community-based hematology and oncology programs
in the State of Michigan. Oncology-related clinical trial
programs (i.e., programs focused on enrolling patients into
carefully monitored experimental care plans for the prevention
and treatment of most major cancers) have been supported by
the group practice since 1978 with a dedicated research support
staff. The physician group is affiliated with national cooperative
clinical trial groups and private industry in performing National
Cancer Institute (NCI) approved clinical trials. Joining the
University of Michigan Cancer Center Network will allow additional
programs to become available in the community setting.

Max Wicha, M.D., Director of the University
of Michigan Cancer Center explained, "As an NCI-designated
comprehensive cancer center, we provide patients access to
extensive clinical research programs including NCI-sponsored
high-priority clinical studies, as well as a wide variety
of specialized cancer clinics. The formation of this network
allows us to expand our programs to local communities like
Jackson, making it easier and more convenient for patients
to receive care close to home and have access to one of the
top cancer care programs in the country."

The University of Michigan Cancer Center, established
in 1986, is ranked ninth nationally among cancer centers by
U.S. News and World Report, the only cancer center in Michigan
to rank in the top ten. In addition, the University of Michigan
Cancer Center is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer
Network and one of the top centers nationally in grant funding
for cancer research.

"The bottom-line winner in this affiliation
is the patient," continued Wicha. "This will allow
both of our organizations to combine efforts and talent to
ensure an even higher quality of care is provided consistently
throughout the Cancer Center Network. A good example of this
is with clinical trials. The physicians at both Foote Hospital
and the University of Michigan have historically participated
in numerous clinical trials. This affiliation will allow our
organizations to pool resources to better inform and educate
patients of the availability of these clinical trials, to
jointly recruit more participants into trials, and to better
share in the knowledge gained from these trials," said
Wicha.

The affiliation agreement is focused on six
main objectives:

The support and advancement of cancer treatment, detection,
prevention and control initiatives within local communities
such as Jackson.

The joint promotion and increased availability of clinical
research trials throughout the Cancer Center Network.

The use of standard cancer care guidelines.

Fostering an atmosphere of collaboration on cancer treatments
and initiatives and the sharing of information for improved
quality throughout the network.

The commitment of the resources of an academic medical
center partner toward the on-going development of high
quality community-based cancer care programs.

The education of consumers, patients, physicians and
other providers about cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment
and.

"Foote Hospital and the University of Michigan
Health System have a long history of cooperative ventures,"
stated Georgia Fojtasek, Foote Hospital President and CEO.
"The Paul Tejada Center for Radiation Oncology has been
jointly operated by our organizations since 1995. We view
this new affiliation as another great opportunity for Foote
Hospital to partner with both our medical staff and an academic
medical center to bring high quality cancer care to our community."

"The University of Michigan radiation oncologists
practicing in Jackson have an outstanding relationship with
Jackson community physicians," said Marc Halman, Administrative
Director for both the University of Michigan Department of
Radiation Oncology and the University of Michigan Cancer Center
Network. "We are excited about this opportunity to strengthen
those ties."

Foote Hospital, a not-for-profit, community-owned
hospital and service network, was founded in 1918 and offers
a wide array of healthcare services including inpatient, outpatient,
emergency, home health, urgent care, and behavioral health.

Oncology and Hematology Associates, PC, is an
independent group practice and JacksonĀ's largest provider
of oncology services. They are located on the second floor
of the Foote Health Center, adjacent to Foote Hospital.